Craft beers and a slice

The vibe

The crowd

The drinks

The food

Our Review

First impression?Hidden along a white-tiled strip of restaurants in a pedestrian area of the Baishizhou district, in central Shenzhen, Bionic Brew is not the easiest bar to find. But you’ll know it when you see it: Decked out with graffiti-like murals and high top-tables, the open-air taproom has a raw, artsy vibe.

Cool. So who’s there?Around the room, there's a mix of expats and local Shenzhen residents sipping drafts and beer-infused cocktails. The crowd generally tends to skew towards those who are a little geeky about their suds, music, art—or all of the above.

How are the drinks?You’ll likely gravitate straight to the bar, where about eight taps dispense beers made on-site. As Shenzhen’s homegrown craft beer producer, Bionic Beer makes a popular Metropolis IPA, easy-drinking Bionic pale ale, Crickside Golden Ale and several seasonal suds. In addition to the brews, the crew also concocts beer cocktails made with their own moonshine. You’ll find a nice assortment of non-alcoholic drinks, including kombucha and yerba maté soda.

Worth ordering something to eat, too?The microbrewery doesn’t have its own kitchen, but it’s conveniently attached to a pizza restaurant that serves excellent NYC-style pies and buffalo wings. Guests are also encouraged to pick up Italian, Tex-Mex, or Chinese barbecue from the myriad nearby restaurants and bring back food to the taproom to enjoy with a beer.

Did the staff do you right?Everyone is relaxed and easygoing. If you’re interested in the backstory behind the brewery or the ingredients used, all you have to do is ask. You might also get a chance to meet the American owner, who is often strolling around the microbrewery or manning the bar. When it comes time to settle the bill, you can pay with cash, credit, WeChat pay, or even Bitcoin.

Wrap it up: what are we coming here for?As the first craft brewery in Shenzhen (it opened in 2014), Bionic Brew serves some of the best local beers in a laid-back atmosphere that's far off the tourist trail.